STATEMENT FROM COMMERCE SECRETARY DONALD L. EVANS
ON TODAY’S RETAIL SALES REPORT
Report Highlights Stronger Retail Sales in March

April 13 - "Strong retail sales indicate that as more Americans find work, they are also spending more. President Bush’s tax relief is growing our economy and helping American workers find jobs. The alternative would be job-killing tax increases that would put Americans out of work."

Note: Today the Census Bureau of the Commerce Department released data indicating that retail sales in March rose 1.8 percent, which was well above market expectations. Sales growth in January and February were both revised upward. Today's retail sales data suggests that overall consumer spending will have posted a strong gain in the first quarter of 2004.